The 2018 4-H Issues Conference was held in Jabez, Ky on November, 2018. This is the first year that Letcher County had youth to attend the Issues Conference. This is not a conference that is for every youth in the county. This conference is designed for those youth that are passionate about their community and want to bring the issues discussed back home and share with the rest of the teen club.

The new Letcher County 4-H agent is working to increase membership and recruit teen leaders in the county.  This can be a challenge since it is a rural community, 61% of the household are low-income and transportation is a difficult.  This year a new Teen Club was developed.  

Over 15 new youth in Letcher County youth join the Teen Club in 2018.  Those who attend Issues Conference are concerned about civic engagement and improving their school and community.  In November 2018, 4 Letcher County 4-H members attended.

 Kentucky 4-H Issues Conference held in Jabez, Kentucky.  Each attending a different work session.  The sessions included college readiness, agriculture and environmental safety, Fiscal County and community advancement, and enrich citizenship/civic engagement roles. Youth enhance their leadership skills, develop public presentation skills, and gain an understanding of local issues and learn the process of addressing local issues.

The conference was organized by the Kentucky 4-H Youth Development office at the University of Kentucky. The conference included workshops conducted by 4-H State Officers, Extension volunteers, Extension agents and specialists and community leaders.  

Identified and prioritized issues that are important in their local communities and among their peers, worked in teams to create a presentation for mock court, and presented their ideas and budget for a community project. 95 % felt the conference was a success and achieved goals. 91 % were able to communicate with peers who are different than them. 91% have used the decision – making process taught during 4-H Issues Conference. 91% have the confidence to speak in front of groups of different ages. 90% connected with least once caring adult in a positive way.  99% have used skills learned during 4-H Issues Conference at home, school, or in their community. 100% would recommend their peers attend the KY 4-H Issues Conference.

They demonstrated problem solving skills, used communication and public speaking skills, and practiced leadership skills to support their project proposal.

These Letcher County 4-H members are the first to participate in the Issues Conference.  Each were speaking for the first time in front of adults and peers that they familiar. One member had never participated in any activities outside of the county.